Former Sweetwater cop to be executed

A former Sweetwater police officer who killed nine people is scheduled to be executed Tuesday.

The lethal injection of Manuel Pardo, 56, is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Florida State Prison in Starke.

On Friday, attorneys for Pardo argued that state courts failed to provide a meaningful review of his challenge to changes in Florida's three-drug lethal injection cocktail. They also argue psychiatric and competency information about Pardo was never forwarded to the state Executive Clemency Board.

The state filed a response arguing that Pardo's constitutional rights were not violated.

A federal judge on Monday denied Pardo's request for a stay.

Prosecutors said he robbed drug dealers and then killed them and witnesses during a three-month crime spree. Pardo admitted to the killings during his 1988 trial, saying he was ridding the streets of the "scum of the earth."

Pardo was dubbed the "Death Row Romeo" after he corresponded with dozens of women and persuaded many to send him money.

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